Release Detail

December 10, 2001 - Americans Love New York
Quinnipiac University Poll Finds;
66 Percent Would Visit Soon If They Could

Americans rank New York City as the number one tourist city in the nation and 66 percent say
they would visit the Big Apple in the next year if they had the time and money, according to the first-ever Quinnipiac University national poll released today.

In an open-ended question, where respondents can give any answer, 13 percent of
American adults list New York as the major U.S. city they would most like to visit, followed by
San Francisco and Las Vegas with 6 percent each, and Orlando, Honolulu and Los Angeles
with 5 percent each.

Twenty-two percent of Americans plan to visit New York City in the next year or so, 65
percent of them solely for pleasure, and 66 percent say they would visit New York City in the
next year or so if they could afford it and had the vacation time.

"From sea to shining sea, Americans give high marks to New Yorkers in general - and
to Mayor Rudolph Giuliani in particular - in the aftermath of the terrorist attack on the World
Trade Center," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

"New York is the only city that scores in double digits when we asked Americans to
volunteer where they'd like to spend vacation time."

Among the poll's findings:

40 percent have a "very positive" image of New York and 37 percent have a "somewhat
positive" image, while 15 percent have a "somewhat negative" or "very negative" image;

43 percent rate New York as an "excellent" or "good" place to live, while 51 percent rate it
"not so good" or "poor;"

85 percent rate New York as an "excellent" or "good" place to visit, while 12 percent rate it
"not so good" or "poor;"

61 percent have a "better" impression of New Yorkers after the September 11 terrorist
attacks, while 2 percent have a "worse" impression and 35 percent say "about the same;"

68 percent have a favorable opinion of Mayor Giuliani, while 3 percent have an unfavorable
opinion, with 9 percent mixed and 20 percent saying they haven't heard enough about him;

Americans split 48 - 45 percent on whether New York should host the 2012 Summer
Olympics;

By a 72 - 22 percent margin, Americans say the World Trade Center should be rebuilt;

By a 65 - 23 percent margin, Americans say it's a "good idea" for Congress to hold a
symbolic one-day session in New York City.

Another major terrorist attack in New York City in the near future is "very likely," 10
percent say, while 32 percent say it is "somewhat likely;" 36 percent say it is "not very likely," and 16 percent say it is "not likely at all."

A major terrorist attack in their own community in the near future is "very likely," 6
percent say, while 19 percent say it is "somewhat likely;" 35 percent say it is "not very likely," and 37 percent say it is "not likely at all."

A major terrorist attack somewhere in the U.S. in the near future is "very likely," 31
percent say, while 43 percent say it is "somewhat likely;" 17 percent say it is "not very likely," and 7 percent say it is "not likely at all."

From November 29 - December 5, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,410 adults
nationwide, with a margin of error of +/- 2.6 percent.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys as a public service and for research.

For additional data -- www.quinnipiac.edu or call (203) 582-5201

1. If you could afford it and had the vacation time, what major city in
the United States would you most like to visit in the next year or so?

Tot Men Wom

Anchorage, AK 2% 1% 2%
Atlanta, GA 1 1 1
Boston, MA 1 1 1

Chicago, IL 3 3 2
Dallas, TX 1 1 1
Daytona, FL 1 1 1

Denver, CO 2 2 1
Honolulu, HI 5 6 4
Los Angeles, CA 5 5 4

Las Vegas, NV 6 6 5
Miami, FL 4 6 2
Maui, HI 1 1 1

New York City, NY 13 10 16
New Orleans, LA 3 2 3
Orlando, FL 5 5 5

Pheonix, AZ 1 1 2
San Diego, CA 2 3 2
San Francisco, CA 6 6 6

Seatle, WA 3 3 3
Tampa, FL 1 1 1
Washington, DC 3 2 4

None, Don't
like cities 3 3 3
Other 22 22 22
DK/NA 7 6 8

4. Have you ever been to New York City?

Tot Men Wom

Yes 47% 47% 47%
No 53 53 53
DK/NA - - -

5. (If "yes" Q4) How long has it been since your last visit? A few weeks,
a few months, a few years, or longer than that?

23. How likely do you think it is that in the near future there will be
another terrorist attack in New York City causing large numbers of
lives to be lost? Very likely, somewhat likely, not very likely, or not
likely at all?

Been to NYC
Tot Men Wom Yes No

Very likely 10% 12% 8% 9% 10%
Smwht likely 32 27 37 32 32

Not very likely 36 39 34 38 36
Not likely at all 16 18 15 16 17

DK/NA 5 4 7 5 6

24. How likely do you think it is that in the near future there will be a
terrorist attack in your community causing large numbers of lives to be lost?
Very likely, somewhat likely, not very likely, or not likely at all?

Been to NYC
Tot Men Wom Yes No

Very likely 6% 5% 7% 4% 7%
Smwht likely 19 13 24 19 18

Not very likely 35 33 36 38 32
Not likely at all 37 47 27 36 38

DK/NA 4 1 6 3 4

25. How likely do you think it is that in the near future there will be a
terrorist attack in the United States causing large numbers of lives to be lost?
Very likely, somewhat likely, not very likely, or not likely at all?

Been to NYC
Tot Men Wom Yes No

Very likely 31% 28% 33% 29% 32%
Smwht likely 43 41 44 42 44

Not very likely 17 21 13 20 14
Not likely at all 7 9 4 6 7

DK/NA 3 1 5 3 3

26. President Bush promised 20 billion dollars to New York City in the
aftermath of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center on September 11.
Do you think this is too much money for New York City, too little, or about
the right amount?

28. Some have suggested that New York City should host the 2012 summer Olympics.
Do you think that is a good idea or a bad idea?

Been to NYC
Tot Men Wom Yes No

Good idea 48% 53% 43% 46% 48%
Bad idea 45 39 50 46 44
DK/NA 8 8 8 8 8

29. Do you think the World Trade Center should be rebuilt in some form,
or not?

Been to NYC
Tot Men Wom Yes No

Yes 72% 75% 70% 74% 72%
No 22 19 24 21 21
DK/NA 6 6 6 5 7

30. If the World Trade Center were rebuilt in some form, how likely do you
think it is that there would be another terrorist attack against it? Very likely,
somewhat likely, not very likely, or not likely at all?

Been to NYC
Tot Men Wom Yes No

Very likely 10% 7% 12% 8% 11%
Smwht likely 29 26 33 26 32

Not very likely 36 38 33 39 33
Not likely at all 20 25 16 21 20

DK/NA 5 4 6 5 5

31. How do you feel about flying in an airplane? Would you tell me whether
you're afraid of it, whether it bothers you slightly, or whether you're not
at all afraid of it?